Hollow profile for securing objects

ABSTRACT

An elongate hollow profile for securing objects and formed of a flat material includes two first side walls ( 2;12;32 ) and two second side walls ( 3;13;33 ) defining together a substantially rectangular cross-section, and at least one trough ( 4;9;14;19 ) formed of one of the second side walls ( 3;13;33 ) and having two trough walls extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the hollow profile and parallel to each other and a trough bottom ( 6;16;36 ) defining together with the two trough walls, a substantial U-shaped cross-section having two bent regions ( 8;18;38 ) each formed between the tough bottom ( 6;16;36 ) and a respective longitudinal web ( 5;15;35 ) forming a respective one of the two trough walls, the two first side walls ( 2;12;32 ) each having a receiving region ( 7;17;37 ) which a respective one of the two bent regions ( 8;18;38 ) of the at least one trough flatly abuts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hollow profile for securing objects and formed of a flat material, with the elongate hollow profile having two, spaced from each other and extending in a longitudinal direction of the hollow profile, first side walls, two, spaced from each other, second side walls extending in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile and transverse to a plane the first side walls lie in, with the first and second side walls defining together a substantially rectangular cross-section, and with at least one trough having two opposite trough walls extending in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile and parallel to each other, and a trough bottom extending between the trough walls.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Hollow profiles of the type described above are used, e.g., for supporting objects which are secured thereto with thread rods, or for supporting other profiles. In particular, an elongate hollow profile of a mounting system has grooves or troughs in which a connection element to which a hollow profile can be connected, is guided. For economical manufacturing of hollow profiles, it is formed of one or several sheet metal components. Such a profile is characterized by a high bearing capacity and a small empty weight.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,224,154 discloses an elongate hollow profile formed of several sheet metal components and which, dependent on the application, is formed of several folded sections. Two opposite side walls of this hollow profile are provided each with a trough the trough walls of which are inclined to the trough bottom at an angle of about 45°.

The drawback of the hollow profile disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,224,154 consists in its low torsional stiffness. In addition, the trough in this hollow profile has either a trapezoidal cross-section which provides little guidance in the longitudinal direction of the profile and in the transverse direction, or a rectangular profile which insures guidance of the connection element but further reduces torsional stiffless of the hollow profile.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a hollow profile formed of a flat material and having a high torsional stiffness.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hollow profile formed of a flat material and having a small empty weight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hollow profile formed of a flat material and providing a good guidance in and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by providing a hollow profile in which the at least one trough is formed of at least one of the second side walls and has a substantially U-shaped cross-section with two bent regions, with each bent region being formed between the trough bottom and a respective longitudinal web forming a respective one of the two trough walls. The two first side walls each has a receiving region which a respective one of the two bent regions of the at least one trough flatly abuts.

The trough according to the present invention has a U-shaped cross-section that provides for good guidance, in and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile, of a connection element for, e.g., mounting of one or more other hollow profiles or of other parts such, e.g., brackets. Because the at least one second wall abuts the receiving regions of the first side walls, the trough does not affect the rectangular shape of the hollow profile cross-section. Therefore, the inventive hollow profile insures a high torsional stiffness in comparison with the known hollow profile with a trough.

The bent regions, which are formed between the trough bottom and the opposite side walls of the trough completely abut the receiving regions of the first side walls of the hollow profile, without any noticeable clearance therebetween. A bent region is defined by a length of the second side wall that lies between a trough wall-forming longitudinal web, which tangentially adjoins the bending radius, and the tough bottom. The flat support provides for a better introduction of forces than a linear or punctual support. The inventive hollow profile can be aligned vertically or horizontally with reference to the X-axis of its cross-section, which improves its static characteristics in comparison with known hollow profiles. The bent region abuts the receiving region in form of an onion peel. Because of the shape of the receiving region of the first side wall of the hollow profile and because of the flat contact between the bent region of the trough and the receiving region, sliding of the supportable surface relative to the supporting surface is prevented.

The inventive hollow profile is preferably formed of a sheet metal, with the free edges being welded or soldered with each other to form a closed hollow profile. The free edges of the folded metal sheet can also be connected by being glued to each other. When a hollow profile should, e.g., have different material characteristics of the first side walls and the second side wall, different initial material can be used for forming the first and second side walls, respectively, with the free edges of adjoining sections, e.g., of side wall being connected with each other.

Preferably, the hollow profile has two trough formed by both second side walls respectively. Both troughs have a substantially U-shaped cross-section with two bent regions. Each of the first side walls has two, spaced from each other receiving regions which respective bent regions of the two troughs flatly abuts. Thereby, an axially symmetrical hollow profile is formed, which provides, in particular in a mounting system, for a plurality of different orientation of the hollow profile, increasing its application possibilities.

Advantageously, the bent regions are adjoined, at at least one of their sides, by bearing regions that flatly abut respective support regions of the respective first side walls. With such increased contact region between the first and second side walls, high forces can be transmitted therebetween. Preferably, respective bearing regions are provided at both ends of the bent regions. It is particularly advantageous when the thickness of a trough wall-forming longitudinal web of the second side wall is doubled, in comparison with the thickness of material, by folding. This leg of the U-shaped second side wall section extends in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile. As discussed, the bent regions and the adjoining them, bearing regions abut the respective receiving regions in form of onion peels. With such shape of a hollow profile troughs, sliding of the supportable surfaces relative to the supporting surfaces is prevented to the most possible extent even when high loads are applied to the hollow profile.

Advantageously, at the free ends of the webs forming the tough walls of the at least one trough, there are provided, respectively, outwardly extending cross-webs extending substantially parallel to a plane of the trough bottom. The cross-webs serve for supporting the inventive profile on an intersecting hollow profile or similar supports, e.g., for placing the inventive hollow profile on a constructional component. The cross-webs provide, in comparison with a linear support which is provided by longitudinal trough side wall-forming webs, an increased bearing surface, which reduces, e.g., linear or point loads in the contact points at which the hollow profile is supported. It should be pointed out that with deep troughs and, correspondingly, high trough walls, the legs, e.g., of the U-shaped second side wall can collapse under a load if a high load is applied to the hollow profile.

Preferably, the thickness of the cross-web amounts to from two to six times of the thickness of the material the hollow profile is formed of. The torsional forces, which are absorbed by the hollow profile, are substantially absorbed by the rectangular cross-section of the hollow profile and by the contact regions between the first and second side walls, so that the thickness of the cross-webs in addition to a preferable double thickness, can have a greater thickness value than the double thickness of the material. With this shape, while retaining a standard hollow profile, hollow profiles with different, e.g., country-specific, dimensions can be realized on the bases of a basic type of the inventive hollow profile.

Advantageously, at least one of the two second side walls can be provided with a plurality of opening for extending fastening means therethrough. Preferably, these openings are uniformly formed and are arranged at the same distance from each other. Preferably, the openings are provided on both opposite second side walls. Because the second side walls abut the first side walls at least regionwise, the first side walls support the second side walls and, therefore, the second side walls become only slightly deformed during tightening with fastening means passing through the openings.

Advantageously, at least one of the first side walls of the hollow profile is also provided with openings through which fastening means can extend. Preferably, these openings are uniformly formed and are arranged at the same distance from each other. Preferably, the openings are provided on both opposite first side walls. Because the first side walls abut the second side walls regionwise, the second side walls support the first side walls and, therefore, the first side walls become only slightly deformed during tightening with fastening means passing through these openings.

Advantageously, a distance between the cross-webs, which are provided at the free ends of the trough walls-forming webs, approximately corresponds to a distance between two receiving regions of a second side wall.

Thereby, a second inventive profile can be pivoted by 90° with respect to a first inventive profile and be secured to the first profile, with the cross-webs lying on a flat section of one of the first side walls of the first hollow profile.

Advantageously, at least one of the first two side walls has at least one further trough extending in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile. The width of this trough corresponds to the width of the trough formed by the second side wall. Therefore, a connection element can be mounted on all four outer sides of the inventive profile.

The novel features of the present invention, which are considered as characteristic for the invention, are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional advantages and objects thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show:

FIG. 1 a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a hollow profile according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a hollow profile according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 a cross-sectional of the hollow profile shown in FIG. 2 along line III-III; and

FIG. 4 a detail view, at an increased, in comparison with FIG. 3, scale in region D of FIG. 3 of a cross-web.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A hollow profile 1 according to a first embodiment, a cross-section of which is shown in FIG. 1, is formed of a flat sheet metal having a constant thickness t, with the free edges of the sheet metal being connected with each other, e.g., by a weld seam 10. The hollow profile 1 has two, spaced from each other first side walls 2 which extend in the longitudinal direction L of the hollow profile, and two, spaced from each other, second side walls 3 which extend transverse to a plane in which the first side walls 2 lie. The first side walls 2 and the second side walls 3 form a rectangular cross-section having a width b and a height h. The static characteristics of the hollow profile 1 are defined substantially by the foregoing dimensions of the hollow profile 1.

Two U-shaped cross-sections of the two second side walls 3 form, respectively, two troughs 4 in the hollow profile 1. The legs of the U-shaped cross-section of the second side wall 3 form two longitudinal webs 5 which extend in the longitudinal direction L of the hollow profile 1 and define trough walls. The section of the second side wall 3, which connects the two legs of the U-shaped cross-section, forms a trough bottom 6. The longitudinal webs 5 have a thickness d that corresponds to a double thickness w of the sheet metal. The two trough 4 are identically formed and have a greater inner width bs than the outer width b of the hollow profile 1. The inner width bs of the trough 4 is defined by a maximal width B which the hollow profile should have. The depth ts of the trough 4 corresponds to the maximal height H which the hollow profile should have and which is determined in accordance with necessary guide characteristics for a connection element to be supported on the hollow profile 1.

On the first side walls 2, there are formed, respectively, two receiving regions 7 into which the second side walls 3, together with its bent regions 8 between the trough walls or longitudinal webs 5 and the trough bottom 6, should completely and flatly fit. When a load is applied to the hollow profile 1 in the direction of X-axis, the second side walls 3, because of the support of the bent regions 8 in the receiving regions 7 of the first side walls 2, are deformed only insignificantly. Also, when a load is applied to the hollow profile 1 in the direction of Y-axis, the flat contact between the receiving regions 7 and the bent regions 8 is reduced, and the first side walls 2 become substantially deformed.

On the first side walls 2, there are provided, respectively, additional troughs 9 the width bt of which preferably corresponds to the inner width bs of the troughs 4. In this way, the same connection elements can be arranged in all of the troughs 4 and 9. The trough 9 has a depth t which approximately corresponds to the thickness of the sheet metal w.

A hollow profile 11 according to a second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2-3. The hollow profile 11 has, as the hollow profile 1 according to a first embodiment, two first side walls 12 and two second side walls 13, with the second side walls 13 having each a trough 14 having a U-shaped cross-section. The troughs 14 have each two longitudinal webs 15 which extend in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile 11 and form the trough walls, and a trough bottom 16. At the ends of the longitudinal webs 15 remote from the trough bottom 16, there are provided respective cross-web 20 which extends parallel to the plane of the bottom 16. The thickness p of the cross-webs 20 corresponds approximately to a double thickness of the thickness w of the sheet metal the hollow profile 11 is formed of

Each of the first side walls 12 has an additional trough 19 in the bottom of which, there are formed a plurality of opening 21 for passing therethrough of fastening elements, e.g., for passing of a thread rod. The second side walls 13 also have, in the bottom 16 of each of the trough 14, a plurality of openings 22 for passing of fastening elements therethrough. The openings 21 and 22 are substantially the same and are arranged in a row one after another in the longitudinal direction L of the hollow profile 11.

The width Bo between the free ends of two cross-webs 20 of the trough 14 corresponds to a distance A between outer edges 23 of the receiving regions 17 of the first side walls 12. A second profile, which is analogous to the hollow profile 11 and which is pivoted relative to the shown hollow profile 11 by 90°, can be introduced in the first profile ˜11 to provide a support and for connection of these two hollow profiles.

FIG. 4 shows, at an increased, in comparison with FIG. 3, scale, the region D of another cross-web than that shown in the region D of FIG. 3. The cross-web 31 shown in FIG. 4 has a thickness of which is four times greater than the thickness W of the sheet metal the hollow profile is formed of. The shape of the cross-web 31 depends on the total dimensions of the hollow profile 11 and can be varied with varying of the hollow profile dimensions.

With reference to FIG. 4, the cooperation of the receiving region 37 on the first side wall 12 with the bent region 38 of the second side wall 13 will now be described. In order to clarify separate elements, the bent region 38 is slightly spaced from the receiving region 37.

The receiving region 37 has a substantially Z-shape and includes a bent-off region 41 and an adjoining the bent-off region 41, support region 42 that extends parallel to the longitudinal web 35. The receiving region 37 further includes a second support region 43 which also adjoins the bent-off region 41 and extends parallel to the trough bottom 36. In the bent region 38 of the second side wall 33, the longitudinal web 35 and the trough bottom 36 form two bearing regions 44 and 45 which completely and flatly adjoin the first and second support regions 42 and 43 of the first side wall 32.

Though the present invention was shown and described with references to the preferred embodiments, such are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not to be construed as a limitation thereof and various modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, not intended that the present invention be limited to the disclosed embodiments or details thereof, and the present invention includes all variations and/or alternative embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. An elongate hollow profile for securing objects and formed of a flat material having a thickness (w), the elongate hollow profile (1;11) comprising two, spaced from each other and extending in a longitudinal direction (L) of the hollow profile, first side walls (2;12;32); two, spaced from each other, second side walls (3;13;33) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the hollow profile and transverse to a plane the first side walls (2;12;32) lie in, the first (2;12;32) and second (3;13;32) side walls defining together a substantially rectangular cross-section; and at least one trough (4;9;14;19) for guiding a connection element, formed of at least one of the second side walls (3;13;33) and having two trough walls extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the hollow profile and parallel to each other and a trough bottom (6;16;36) extending between the two trough walls and defining, together with the two trough walls, a substantially U-shaped cross-section of the at least one trough (4;14), the at least one trough (4;14) having two bent regions (8;18;38) each formed between the trough bottom (6;16;36) and a respective longitudinal web (5;15;35) forming a respective one of the two trough walls, the two first walls (2;12;32) each having a receiving region (7;17;37) which a respective one of the two bent regions (8;18;38) of the at least one trough flatly abuts.
 2. A hollow profile according to claim 1, comprising two trough (4;14) each formed of a respective one of the two second side walls (3;13;33) and both having a substantially U-shaped cross-section with two bent regions (8;18;38), the two first side walls (2;12;32) each having two, spaced from each other, receiving regions (7;17;37), the two bent regions (8;18;38) of each of the two trough (4;14) flatly abutting respective receiving regions (7;17;37) of the two first side walls (2;12;32).
 3. A hollow profile according to claim 1, wherein the bent regions (38) are adjoined, at at least one side thereof, by a bearing region (44,45) that flatly abuts a support region (42,43) of respective two first side walls (32).
 4. A hollow profile according to claim 1, wherein at free ends of the webs (15;35) forming the trough walls of the at least one trough, there are provided, respectively, outwardly extending cross-webs (20;31) extending substantially parallel to a plane of the trough bottom (16;36).
 5. A hollow profile according to claim 4, wherein the cross-webs (20;31) have a thickness (p;q) that amounts from two times to six times of the thickness of a material the hollow profile is formed of.
 6. A hollow profile according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two second side walls (13) has a plurality of openings (22) through which fastening means is extendable.
 7. A hollow profile according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two first side walls (12) has a plurality of openings (21) through which fastening means is extendable.
 8. A hollow profile according to claim 4, wherein a distance (Bo) between the cross-webs (20), which are provided at the free ends of the trough walls-forming webs (15), approximately corresponds to a distance (A) between two receiving regions (17) of a second side wall (12).
 9. A hollow profile according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two first side walls (2;12) has at least one further trough (9;19) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the hollow profile (7;11). 